Miners march to the ministry of industry (22 images)

Spanish miners and sympathizers incensed with the nation's seemingly endless austerity cutbacks clashed with riot police on one of Madrid's most famed avenues Wednesday, and six demonstrators were hospitalized after police fired rubber bullets. Police made seven arrests, and two officers were injured.

The miners' march into the capital was the culmination for some of a nearly three-week trek from the remote regions where they eke out a living, and drew heavy sympathy from...more »

Spanish miners and sympathizers incensed with the nation's seemingly endless austerity cutbacks clashed with riot police on one of Madrid's most famed avenues Wednesday, and six demonstrators were hospitalized after police fired rubber bullets. Police made seven arrests, and two officers were injured.

The miners' march into the capital was the culmination for some of a nearly three-week trek from the remote regions where they eke out a living, and drew heavy sympathy from Spaniards weary of a series of government-imposed measures that have increased taxes, made it easier to fire workers and reduced cherished government services.

Some miners walked from northern and eastern mining regions into Madrid, where they received a hero's welcome by thousands lining La Castellana avenue outside the Industry Ministry building.« less